I asked an XJ vs. K20 question b4...  But, now, I have a 94 Bronco, an ex-enviro police model... manual t-case etc. So what it is is a stripped down model (just like I like it...) rubber floors (easy to hose out), roll-up windows, but it's got a spotlight!, 351, automatic, factory tranny cooler HD radiator you know, the police package. Since it was a fleet vehicle I assume it's got all the recall stuff done and good maintanance (it sure runs clean). I also have a 93 XJ Limited, some rust/rot spots, a dent here and there. But in good shape. Carpets, leather etc. (not good to get muddy)

I go back and forth DAILY on which to keep (I can keep ONLY ONE).

I like the size of the Bronco but I like the 4 doors on the XJ. The 351 is STRONG but the 4.0 aint bad either. 8.8 or Dana 35? Dana 44 TTB or Dana 30 solid axle? Removable top or easy to open hatch? Full framer or unibody? ARRRRGGGGHHHH!

My goal, as money allows, is to make a pre-runner type out of one of them. 6" bulge fenders, bumpers etc. They both have a great aftermarket for that goal. What do I do? I also have a child so seating and safety in either is not an issue.

Easy choice, the jeep. The TTB is a poor excuse for a front drive axle any way you cut it. It eats tires and has stabilty issue by design. THE Jeep would be a far more sturdy off road vehical.  

Snoman, I did a search here on TTB and you seem to post a lot on that subject. I guess I didn't want to read your reply but I know you are right. I try to convince myself that it's not that bad but looking at the tires I have now (bald from the center, out) I cannnot ignore the facts. As I think about the design, I cannot believe that the camber/caster changes during a suspension cycling would get past the engineers. I suppose I need to get a membership to JeepSpeed. Thanks for the reply.  

When Ford came up with the TTB their idea was a low riding truck with 4wd and a soft ride and it did fill the part (a poor mans IFS) but because the axle is hinged in the middle and the camber (and caster somewhat) changes radically with suspension travel and causes tires to wear funny and also it can have strange handling on some even roads at speed. The TTB was quitely scraped on the explorer (the roll over model)and replaced with a much more stable IFS design. I know I sound anti Ford but I am not, the engineer in me just sees the TTB for what it is, a overall poor design.  

after reading snomans reply to this bronco/xj question, it sounds to me like he really knows his stuff. i have owned several fords. three of  which have been bronco's. (a 78,79,and a 93). while they were all very capable on the trail, their weight made the extra engine power very necessary at times. the TTB (on the 93), was very hard on tires. i was    able to somewhat fix this by adding an aftermarket swaybar and some polyurethane bushings. but like all fixes nothing lasts forever. the  wieght of the xj alone makes it a better choice.  

dont sound so dissapointed. the xj is very capable, easy to lift, cheap to lift, and  the only real weak spot is the dana 35 in the back. a dana 44 or a 8.8 out of an explorer are both easy swaps. i highly recomend the black diamond three inch kit and revolver shackles they r awesome on the xj  

You can also put after market axle shafts in a D35 that are stronger than stock ones in a D44 or 8.8 too.  

having owned 3 full size blazers 73, 79, 83, (which i loved)and which are far superior to the bronco counter parts ,  when i got my 89 xj a few months ago the die hard chevy guy in me converted to the the jeep side.
jeep pros are basicly unlimited aftermarket, smooth ride at higher speed compared to broncos paint shaker ride, smaller lighter and more nimble/manueverable, far better fuel mileage.  The the only thing the bronco has on xj is a removeable top and towing capacity (although i seen a guy in a stock xj towing a 35 to 40' party cat deck boat that you usually see behind a 3/4 ton or 1 ton diesel) . xj all the way  

SnoMan:
You can also put after market axle shafts in a D35 that are stronger than stock ones in a D44 or 8.8 too.

True on the shafts being stronger, but the other Achilles heel of the D35 is the week axle tubes. A suggestion for this option is also to truss the axle. As far as the answer to the XJ or Bronco Question, XJ all the way the bnefits of the solid front axle and the less weight alone make it the better choice.